Frank Marshall Davis FBI file

' HoiibiuJw file #100-5082'.

L E A a s-

THE BOHOLTJTjU DIVISION

At- Honolulu;
iknr&st' act It

Te He- , &1 11 continue to follow aftrt
LtieV-of tho subject:* - -

'Mmlnlxr file #100-5062

, V fhe Conf i dent ifll. Informant f mentioned in the report

of.'SA ftADR k. KEAPF, dated' 5 / 12 / 51 , at Honolulu, T.

HEFEHPCE:' . Report of SA X*/Att£ , £.■ KJsTArP, 11 / 1 . 3 / 50 , , Honolulu*

*!• X/» «

FD- 122
(10-19-49)

Office Memorandum • united states government

T ° ■ Director, FBI „jrd U.T.D- ^

FROM : SAG, Honolulu

DATB: July 17 > 1951

y SUBJECT: pp ANK MARSHALL DAVIS

Kfr INTERNAL SECURITY - C

1 Buflle 100-328955

All INFORMATION CONTAM
HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED, , ,

It is recommended that a Security Index Card be prepared on the

above captioned individual.

X The Security Index Card on the captioned individual should be
changed as follows: (Specify change only)

ALIASES

COMMUNIST

NATIVE BORN

SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY

NATURALIZED

ALIEN

MISCELLANEOUS (Specify)

TAB FOR DETCOM

DATE OF BIRTH

^INDEPENDENT SQSIALISTJjEAGUE_
-n r "~ >

co — \

TAB FOR COMSA1

PLACE OF BIRTTfn

RESIDENCE ADDRES S 0/0 Hauula Post Office, Oahu, TgH. ^

Resides between Kaliuwaa and Punaluu, Oahu (House is located abbut 100
•Kfttrrt-nH tv»p ttvrn t,o FqTla and la the third house froro the

Ching Tong Sing Store on the beach side toward Hauula).
BUSINESS ADDRESS (Show name of employing concern and address)

NATURE OF INDUSTRY OR BUSINESS (Specify from Strategic and Vital Industry List)

WERibjb * fA

Tfttk m

RECORDED - 153 | /_^£'__3A ^5$ -

'< ’JUL 20 195)

01-71- \M

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STANDARD FORM NO. 04 •’• * * • .SSMBf 4 ' ". A - , . . -

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***** • 1 # * 4 *- . ^ ■ ~ u ^ . r\'A Tr .* ’ - v • r * ._ . ■’ ■ ‘ . , '■ . ’

TO ' / * '“Director, .FBI- 1 (100-3 2 89^) ’

' FROM ^| j Sac; ! Honolulu' (100-5082’). • ,; :

- DATE:

January 1952 :<

ishauQav:

subject: FRANK MRSHAIJ>-DAVIS • >'»* .
^ . * THERMAL .SECURITY - C .»./ . • '

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ReBulet 10/9/51- captioned "COMAUNIST. PARTY, USA J^rosecuticn 'of : •

Additional Communist Func tiona He s 'under the 'Smith Act- ' Hawaii)

INTERNAL SECUROT .-/C." ' j ] Y\ v / v V/ • . ^ . .

>. . • - • . ;. ^'K' ; -tv7\ ' . , v ... < ■*.-*. <-, • ■’• ■ .-

DAVIS, 'a Security. Index sub jeetj’ .. continues to .write,' a weekly .-
/r.n) nmn for the "Honolulu Record, H which' publication is edited by . % • 1 r_

I one of trie Smith Act sub jects ;? of, this 'Office. . In-,
this 'column, DAVIS , closely foil ows^ the Communist Party' line. He ' b7C
Is .violent .‘in. his denunciation' of U. S. policy in Korea arid ' .

throughout the world, Awhile’ praising , Russia o n ^ve ry opportunity.' • ' '

, He continues . his *close -ris'sociatlon with CHARL JBIG TO , publicly ;

admitted Chairman of ; the ■ Conmuni st • Party ,.of Hawaii, who. is also
one of- the Dmitri *Act‘ 'subjects under .indictment in Honolulu.

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^<1 <£ 1 . ,

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•' In View, of ^.these facts, rio’ consideration will be’ given .to 'inter- \
‘ / viewing him regarding trie Smith Act' subjects, UACB. ■ .••••

- A- prosecutive summary will be prepared on this sub ject' as soon as
'possible'. V/./' - ' j- .V t . • •»

WEK *b ib ‘ /•' ' ‘ ‘ AU (NFORMATION CONTAIN

Htcoim-m

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FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Form No. 1

THIS CASE ORJG INATED AT HONOLULU

REPORT MADE AT

HONOLULU. T. H.

FRANK

MAESHAli^I

DAVIS

DATE WHEN PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE REPORT MADE BY

MADE

10/6/52 1 10/1,2,5/ 52

JOHN R. HOOD

CHARACTER OF CASE

INTERNAL SECURITY - C

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS;

Subject continues to reside Windward Oahu and. owns.
"Oahu Papers" of Honolulu. Subject continues associa-
tion witn Hawaii Civil Rights Congress members and
identified Communist Party members. Subject continues
newspaper column "Frankly Speaking" in the; "Honolulu
Record,? weekly newspaper.

DETAILS

DEClASSin^DBY^r .7. . .'Vyfyfl P

• '' At HONOLULU, T. H.

I'yj 1
ic'.u r .

r,o^. \l\V *■. ■

f I. "ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Confidential Informant □ of known reliability* ■

advised tne subject , continues to reside in the 1 &Z

■ Kapapa District of Windward Oahu, and receives mail . b7I
- through the' Hauula Post Office. I I also advised
that the -s ubjec t owns "Oahu Papers" %t 406 P. Road,
Honolulu. | | stated that the suDject was observed

,/iat‘a joint meeting of the ILWU Executive Council, the
Wrine Cooks and Stewards Union, the ILWU Women* a
Auxiliary, and United Professional Workers with the .
Hawaii .Civil Rights Congress Executive Committee

- held atythe Mar ine C ooks and Stewards Union hall

June 25, ly&l. | | stated tne main cusiness discussed

- was. the Hawaii Civil Rights Congress (HCRC) fight

against Negro discrimination in bars in downtown !

Honolulu. ^COMMUNlCATfOXS INm;~^Tjv o A V ' - '

R ftyViV OH£ employed' jgy ti oNO L 0^0

“ *(EMPL. CATtD)

■aa v.

Honolulu file = 100- 5U82

The HCRC has been designated as a Communist organization by the
Attorney General coming within the purview of Executive Order 9835*

"Talso advised on August 1. 1951* that a regular meeting of. the

| p lso advised on August 1, 1951, that a regular meeting of. the
E xecutive Board of the HCRC was held at the home of | |

o j | I | said at - this meeting that DAVIS had

stated there was no doubt that tne FBI pick-up would start soon in
Hawaii t and that the HCRC should be prepared for such an emergency
by making previous arrangements for obtaining bail.

Confidential Informant I I said that a regular meeting of the

Executive Board of the HCRC was held l I

J and that this was the first meeting of the newly
elected Execu tive Board for the HCRC, 1952, The aub-tec^s fe.

"J was one of those present according to | [ then

advised that about 30 or 40 persons attended an anniversary party
of the HCRC held Saturday, March 8, 1952, at the home of the subject'
in Hauula, Oahu.

[__| stated that according to | | wife of subject, that

y the subject had been selected to write for the newspaper ’’Free-
/ dom,” published in*New York City by a group headed by PAUL
ROBESON.

PAUL ROBE SON was identified as a Communist Party member by | I

1 self-admitted Communist Party member to 1940* before the
iiouse Committee on Un-American Activities in. Washington, D.* C., in
1949.

| | also advised that CHARLES FUJIMQTO an d I spent

the day of Octob er 28 . 1961, as guest's/o^^PRANK I^RSHAL^ H ^ A ^IS
in Hauula, Oahu. | | said that according to subject’s wife, the.

K7JIMDTOS came on tha t dav for the pu rpo se of getting additional
information regardin g! fr hom l I said was to

be disciplined by the Communist Party for "white chauvanism” or
associating with persons whose reputations are such that they would
bring embarrassment to the Communist Party. <■

- 2 -

Honolulu file 100-6082

Confidential ' Informant □ of known reliability. Adv ised a fund-
raising party was helj
Valiev. Honolu lu. on|^

raising party was r>V l | in Palolo

I and that the subject^ was

present . | | stated the subject made a speech requesting funds

.for the defense of the seven alleged Communist indicted August 29 ,
1961, for violation of the v Smith Act of 1940. Those indicted in
Honolulu were? , . v V

. b2
'b6
b7C
b7D

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I also a dvised that the subject and wife J I wer e present b7D

^ at an HCRC| | at the home of l I .

df _ Windwa r d Oahu
the subject, advised thaj

U./a

and I

Jwas oDservea visi ting

the home of the. subject on June 3j 1951'.

• . . ■ '( *• ■

II WRI TINGS" IN THE ‘.’HONOLULU ' RECORD”

b6

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The subject continues his weekly column in the "Honolulu Record"
entitled "Frankly Speaking.! 1 •

self-admitted, former Communist Party member and
one-time member of the Executive Board of the Communist Party of
Hawaii, advised on August 30, I960, that the editorial policies of
the "Honolulu Record" were under complete control and domination of
the Communist Party of the Hawaii Executive Board. \

The following excerpts were obtained from the subject's column as
it appeared in the "Honolulu Record;" ‘

"Honolulu Record” dated July ‘26, 1961, in the coluunn referring to
the Negro family; of HARVEY CLARK JR., which family was mobbed in
Cicero, Illinois, for attempting to :move into a white suburb stated

b6

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Honolulu file 100-6082 *

that IRA LATIMER, Executive Director of the Chicago Civil Liberties
Committee, had *roatigsto.< ^ l .j& e- Justice* Department for protection for
/the CLARKS. "This is the same Department of Justice which has
caused many Negroes to be fired from Federal jobs as 'Communists,*
because they refused to accept discrimination and fought against
the kind of conditions which fathered the riots. It is the same
Department of Justice which, until 4 this day, has not been able to
identify the lynchers ‘of those four- Negroes five years ago in a
email county in Georgia; one of the* most atrocious crimes in’

American history. Is it any .wonder that many Negroes consider the
Department of Justice -be anti-Negro?”

"Honolulu Record" dated' August 23, 1951, regarding the statement of
THOMAS E. DEWEY , Gove rhp r of New York, "What DEWEY says, in effect,
is that we must useforoe and violence, if necessary, to keep a-
nation from accepting Communism, even though the majority of the
people of that /nation have expressed a’ desire for Communism."

!*As a matter of fact, the people of America have the right to
establish a. Socialist or Communist Government if they so desire.

The right to replace one form of Government with another is a
historic right." . 1 * v *

"Honolulu Record" dated August' 30, 19ol, "I think the coining genera-
tions - .if the world survives the threat of atomic annihilation - will
look upon the Supreme Court decision i n the Smith Act in much the.
same way that we now glance back at the infamous DRED SCOTT decision
of nearly one hundred years ago."

"Honolulu Record" dated September 27, I9bl, "I would be against
capital punishment on purely humanitarian grounds. £ut when this
device is used ; to maintain white supremacy and is a weapon aimed
primarily against non-whites, it should be gotten rid of as an
enemy of the principles of democracy."

"Honolulu Record" dated December 27, 1951. In this article the
writer spoke .of the Negro position in regard to the conviction of
eleven Connounist leaders in New York, "Our position is that the .
conviction can be used against Negroes or any other group fighting
for full equality." . •

* / - 4 -

Honolulu file 100-5082

"Honolulu Record" dated January 31, 1952, "This habit of making Russia
a whipping boy for all the affairs that now beset the globe is in-
tended to blind the American people to the real causes of unrest in
the near and Middle East." *

"Honolulu Record" dated Aprii 17; 1962, ”It is obvious that- Washington
fears PAUL ROBESON. You see, he is not for sale. He hhs the Unshaken
belief that no nation has the right to exploit another, thtLt color
should not be the measure of individual worth. People everywhere have
acclaimed him as one of the greatest artists in the world. He is
called free by millions of the oppressed."

. P

Honolulu file 116-5082

ADMINISTRATIVE PAGE

Identity

of

Source

Date of Activity
and/or Description
of Information

Agent to

< ~ * k Whom

Date Received • JXirniehed

File Number

June 2V, 1952 WADE E. KNAPP* 100-5082-287

July 2, 1951 - wade e. KNAPP 106-5082-235

Aug. 1, 1951 WADE E. KNAPP ; 100-5082-243

Feb. 15, 1952 WADE E. KNAPP 100-5082-274

March 13, 1952 WADE E. KNAPP 100-5082-279

JR;

Oct.. 26, 1951 HAROLD L. CHILD 100-5082-253

JR.

Jan.. 1, 1962 HAROLD L. CHILD 100-5082-267
July 27, 1951 WADE E. KNAPP 100-6082-238

REFERENCE : Report of Special Agent WADE E. KNAPP, dated May 12, 1961,

■ ' ' " . . ■ 7 ~ * at Honolulu.

6

V

sKimn

FEDERAL BUREAU OF

FormNa 3

THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT HONOLULU, T. H«

REPORT MADE AT:

HONOLULU, T. H.

DATE WHEN MADE: PERIOD Jf.ft WHICH MADE:

3/J1/S3 lA5j 2A8,2k,?;

REPORT MADE BY:

JOHN R* HOOD new

FRANK MAB5HAIL DAVIS

CHARACTER OP CASE:

INTERNAL SECURITY - C

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS j

DETAILS*

SUMMARY REPORT

Subject resides Neuwla, Oahu, and la the owner of a wholesale
and retail p%>er company known an Oahu Pipers. Subject alao
writes weekly 1 column (Frankly Spea kin g) for the HONOLULU
RECORD, Connuniet-doninated newspaper* Subject baa been
resident of the Hawaiian I sla n de since December, 19^8*

Subject was identified as active in the Borle-ttUler Club,
CcwKuniet Party, in Chicago, Ulinela. Vac also active in
the AID, CRC, and Abraham Lincoln School in Chicago, all
of which were cited ae subversive by the Attorney General*

In Honolulu, Subject has been active la the HCRC*

- ** *■ ^

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION v V

(Tj^rA* Birth Data

The records at Friends University, Wichita, Kansas,
examined by Special Agent CHARLES G* CLEVELAND on
July 28 and 29# 19b9* showed the Subject was bom
December 31, 1905* at Arkansas City, Kansas*

/ . y

/ ■ V'^ v ' B* Citixenshil

PROPERTY OF F3T ^ birth.

i W<-nl!n. I )v:*«w - 1

GCnn-n’h •• : :rrnt' ! i ! < * C* Education

U /I Sil lfi ,J !>' 1 ; ' < •'

unt-suie of ^ f_-< j ' »v>i. ’The recon

The records at Friends university, Wichita, Kansas,
also showed the Subject was a United States citizen
by birth*

‘ The records at Friends Unive r sifcypr VAehitnys Kewees , as

f This retort furnished to;

i5 Durean (100-328955)

1 DIO, Honolulu
1 CIC, Honolulu v

1 061, Honolulu
3 Honolulu (100-5082)

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!

KETED

n

FILE

HON File 100^082

«amin©d by Special Agent CHARLES G. CLEVELAND on July 28 and 29 * I9h9, showed
Subject enrolled in Friends University* SeptWber IT* 1923 and withdrew May 25#

Z92lu

In June of 19Wt, Sne cial Agent HD E. NBUTZLINQ examined the Selective Serficc bb
records in custody oi l I Local B<b rd 82* b 7

3858 South Parkway* Chicago* Illinois* These records showed Subject attended
Kansas State College* Manhattan* Kansas* from September* 192U, to February, 1927*
and £rcm September* 1929* to June* 1930*

D. Marital Status

The Office of the County Clerk of Cook County* Chicago* Illinois* was contacted
by Special Agent RAYMOND F* SHELTON on August 12, 19k9. He was advised that
the Oobk County Clerk's Office was unable to verify the marriage of I 1 b6
| (to FRANK MARSHALL\pAVIS without having some approximate date h7r

of marriage fui^-shad#

The HONOLULU STAR^ULLETIM* daily newspaper, dated December Hi, 191*8, re-
flected the Subject and wife arrived in Honolulu* December 8* 19tt8#

E» Military Service

The Selective Service records of Local Board 82* Chicago, Illinois* were
examined by Special Agent NED E. NBUTZLING and showed the Subject was
classified 1AH on January 7» 19Ww He is not known to have entered on
duty in the military service#

F. Criminal Record . , _

T " n ~- 1 ~ bo

BTO l I examined the records of the Honolulu Police Depart- ^7C

mant on February 23* 1953* and there was no record of arrest located on
the Subject at that time#

G# Employment

In June* 19l*li, Special Agent NED E« NEUTZLING reviewed the Selective Service
records of Local Board 82* Chicago* Illinois* and these records contained
information filed by the Subjects employer which stated the Subject was
employed aa reporter for the Associated Negro Press* 3507 South Parkway*

Chicago* Illinois, from September 18* 1935* and that baginning January 19*

19lj2* he was Executive Editor of the ASSOCIATED NEGRO PRESS#

HON File 100^082

The HONOLULU SECOND, im it* edition o f December 16 , 1968, described
FRANK MARflHAT.L DAT IS i« Executive Editor of the CHICAGO STAR from July,

1966, to September, 1966. The HONOLULU RECORD was eited a* a front for
the Communist Party by the Congressional Committee on Qb-dmeriean Activities
on October 1, 1950*

Page 1 of the CHICAGO STAR of the August 28, 1968 issue, earried an announce-
ment that the CHICAGO STAR we# going out of business September 11, 1968*

This article mas signed, "The Chisago Star Publishing Company, FRANK MARSHALL
DAVIS, Secretary."

The testimony of HALTER 3. STEELE regarding Communist activities. in the
United States, shieh use heard July 21, 1967, before the House of Repre-
sentatives Committee on Un-American Activities, Washington, D* C., reflected
the CHICAGO STAR is published veehly by the Chisago Star Publishing Company,
Incorporated, 166 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois. STEELE testi-
fied the Executive Editor was FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS.

The CHICAGO STAR was eited by the California Committee on Un-American Ac-
tivities Report of 1963 as among the publications which the Committee found
"to be Communist initiated and controlled or so strongly influenced as to
be in the Stalin solar system."

A review of the HONOLULU RECORD newspapers by the writer, beginning with
the December, 1963 issue, indicated that news articles written by the Sub-
ject have appeared as early as December 16, 1963, in the HONOLULU RECORD.

The Subject continues to write a weekly column, "Frmkly Speaking."

In February, 1950, Special Agent WADE E. KNAPP examined the records of
the Territorial Tax Office which showed that the Subject at FRANK MARSHALL
DAVIS took out a lioense to do business as Oahu Papers for the purpose of
engaging in the wholesale and retail sale of papers. This license permitted
Subject to start business January 1, 1950. b6

HTQ j I examined the records of the Credit Bureau of Hawaii

on 2/23/5^, which records showed the Subject was self-employed at Oahu
Papers, 867 Ahua Street, Honolulu, T. H.

H. Residence

The records of the Friends University, Wichita, Kane&s, examined by Special
Agent CHARLES G. CLEVELAND on July 28 and 29, 1969, showed the Subject
attended Friends University, Wlehita, Kansas, from September, 1923# to

i92U. ,, N

-,-SrY

HON File 100-5082

fv." *'

ja± : - 4

According to Selective Service records of Local Board 82* Chicago, Illin ois,
as examined try Special Agent NED B* NEUTZLING in June of 19l*U* the Subject
attended Kansas State College* Manhattan, Kansas, from September, 192 l*,
to February* 1927* and September, 1929* to June, 1930*

Selective Service recorde also showed Subject resided at 3559 Vincennes Ave*,
Chicago* Illinois* as of X9hk»

On December U, 191*8, Confidential Informant | | of known reliability,

advised that DAVIS was giving up his apartment. No# 301* at 3852 South Lake
Park Ave*, Chicago, Illinois.

On February 13* 19l*9* Confidential Informant ! | of known reliability, ^2
advised the Subject resided at 1830 Waiola Street, Apartment 1, Honolulu* b7D

On May 31, 19b9, Confidential Informant | [ advised that Subject had
moved to H&uula, Oahu*

Status of Health

There was no information other than the Subject mas la good health#

II. CONNECTION WITH COMMUNIST PARTI OR
OTHER REVOLUTIONS GROUPS

Confidential Informant ! I of known reliability* advised in November, 191*3,
that the Subject was scheduled to speak at a meeting of the American Youth for
Democracy on December 5* 191*3, to be hold at 7*30 p.n u in Curtis Hall,

1*10 South Michigan Street* Chicago, Illinois* The American Youth for Democracy
was cited as subversive and a Communist organisation by the Attorney General
December 1** 19l*7*

Confidential Informant I I advis od on March 6* 191*5, that| |

organiser for the South Side Go unoil* of the 0P&, told him that mkshaLL

DAVIS was a member of the Dorie-Miller Club of the Communist Party of America
which meets at 3865 South Cottage Grove Avenue,' Chisago, Illinois.

Confidential Informant ! | of known reliability, advised in December, 19i*3,
that WILLIAM L* PATTERSON, Assistant Director of the Abrahaa Lincoln School,
had recently discussed with the Subject the possibility of the Abraham Lincoln
School getting space in the Art Institute in South Side, Chicago, Illinois.

HON File 100*5082

b7C

b7D

II stated that they also discussed deportation proceedings against Mrs. ^ 7
EARL BROWDER and DAVIS agreed to write a letter to President ROOSEVELT on
behalf of Mrs. BROWDER. EARL BROWDER, husband of Mrs. BROWDER, was former
general secretary of the Communist Party in the United States until 19b5«

The Abraham Lincoln School in Chicago, Illinois, was cited as an adjunct of the
Communist Party by the Attorney General on December b> 19b7*

In June, 19bb, Confidential Informant ! I stated that FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS
was one of numerous guests to be invited to a cocktail party for EARL BROWDER
in the apartment of ! I n Chicago in the near future.

b2

In January, 19bb> Confidential Informant I I of known reliability, stated ,
the Subject had been considered as a pos sible inetmctor in a. sourse on the D ^
outline of Negro History, and also that | | branch organiser *b7C

for the Third Ward Branch of the South side section or the communist Party b7D
in Chicago had obtained the Subject as a speaker for a mass meeting of the
Amerieoi Youth for Democracy to be held at the Central imga in Chicago,

January 9» 19bb*

I stated on February b, 19b b that the Subject was one of those to be invited
to the Abra ham Lincoln School Anniversary Party scheduled for February 13,

19bb* I I further stated that the Subject would give a short speech at the
anniversary party of National Negro History Week and was scheduled to speak
at a Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Conmittee party in Chicago February 12, 19bb,
in a celebration of American Night.

The Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Committee was cited as subversive and Communistic
by the Attorney General on December U, 19b 7 •

Confidential Informant I I of known reliability, stated in April, l?bb, that

WILLIAM L. PATTERSON, Assistant Director of the Abraham Lincoln School, had
told him in April, 19bb, that the Subject was very progressive, was very much , 0
interested in the Soviet Uhion and that at the present time he was an inatruc-
tor at the Abraham Lincoln School# b7D

Confidential Informantl
that the Subject wks ass
of the Communist Party#

Infonnant | | of known reliability, stated on February lb, 19bb,
octets associated with the ASSOCIATED NEGRO PRESS and was amember

On November 18, 19bb» l I advised that a Communist front organisation known as
the ’’Cultural Groups was sponsoring a Cultural Conference on the Chicago South
Side. | | stated Subject was one of the committee members#

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HON File 100-5082

In a n twr article found in the CHICAGO DEFENDER, weekly Negro newspaper, for
April 8, 191*1* , it was stated that a special course was being given at the Abra-
ham Lincoln School in Chicago on facts about racial natters* According to
this article, classes were to be taught by WILLIAM L* PATTERSON, Assistant
Director of the Abraham Lincoln School, Dr, METZ T, P.\L0GHARD, Editor of the
CHICAGO DEFENDER, and FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS, Executive Mitor of the "Assneiated
Negro Press*" \

On May 22, 19l*5, Confidential Informant ! | of known reliability, advised that
FRANK M,; DAVIS_of 3559 Vincennes Ave,, cEIcago, was a member of the Carver

Ida tmr — n • _ .

On May 22, 19l*5, Confidential Informant ! | of known reliability, advised that
FRANK M,; DAVIS_of 3559 Vincennes Ave,, cEIcago, was a member of the Carver
Second Ward West, Communist Political Association,

On June 23, 19U6, Confidential Informant ! | of known reliability, advised the
Subject me present at a meeting of the carver Communist Party Club held at
1*21*1 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois*

b2

b7D

On May 1, 191*7 J l etated the Subject was present at a 1 fey Day Rally sponsored

by the Communist Party, District No, 8, Chicago, Illinois, at the Ashland
Auditorium, Ashland and Van Buren Ave,, Chisago, Illinois, May 1, 19^7*

In a news article in the CHICAGO DEFENDER newspaper dsb ed October 20, 191*5, it
was stated that the Subject was currently teaching History of Jasa at the Abra-
ham Lincoln School in the Chicago Loop and that DAVIS was a member of the b2

Board of Directors of the Abraham Lincoln School* b7D

On April. 16, 191*7, □ furnished a leaflet issued by the Chicago Civil Liberties
Committee which listed th e nam es of the Board of Directors and included the name

of FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS* | j gtated that the Chicago Civil Liberties Committee
was a Communist front organisation*

Qonfidentiai Informant ! | of known reliability, advised on November 23, 191*7,
that the Civil Rights Congress National Conference was held in Chicago on
November 21, 22, and 23, 19kl» | | stated that FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS, Execu-

tive Editor of the ASSOCIATED Negku PRESS was active in the conference. The

^!° gr ?* s r 8 '^ 88 ambT «wi« organization by Attomay Oenaral
TOM CLARK on December 1*, 191*7,

HON File 100-5082

On September 19# 1948# Confidential Informant I 1 of known reliability,
advised that the Subject was chairman of a farewell party for WILLIAM L#
PATTERSON, former Vice President of the Communist Party# District No# 8#
who was recently appointed National Chairman of the Civil Rights Congress#
This party was held at 410 South Michigan Avenue under the auspices of the
Civil Rights Congress*

b2

b7D

On December 11# 1946# Confidential Informant ! | advised that DAVIS had admitted
that he was on the "Washington Subversive List" becaust of his affiliation with
the Abraham Lincoln School of Ch icago , the American Youth for Democracy, and
the Civil Rights Congress# | | said that DAVIS statsd he taught art classes
at the Abraham Lincoln School, was an officer of the America* Youth for Democracy
and a functionary in the Civil Rights Congress#

a on Dee ember 11, 1948, stated he had leaned from DAVIS that DAVIS had bi
invited to attend a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Hawaii i

Civil Liberties Committee on December 13, 1948, and that DAVIS had expressed
his intention of being present#

The Hawaii Civil Liberties Committee was listed fay the Attorney General as a
Communist organisation on April 27, 1949*

On November 27# 1950, the Hawaii Civil Liberties Committee became affiliated with
the Civil Rights Congress and became the Hawaii Civil Rights Congress#

Confidential Informant
a short speech at the :
Civil Liberties Co mmit
During this speech#!
the HCLC during 1 949.
In the company o ff
whom have been i dent if

I advised on January 23, 1949, that the Subject gave b2
.rst Anniversary Reception and Dance of the Hawaii ^

ie on January 22, 1949, at Kulamaau Pavilion, Honolulu# 2
|stated, the Subje ct pledged to work and cooperate with b ?C
according to I I the Subject sp ent moat of jfehe evening b7D

| CHA RLE^VFU J DPTO and ) J ail of

id ha Communist Pari# members by |~sclf-

admitted Communist Party member from 1938 to Octcber, 19551 On October 15#

1948# CHARLES FUJDCTO publicly announced hie chairmanship of the Communist
Party in Hawaii#

Confidential Informant I I stated that DAVIS on May 2, 1949# at an HCLC meeting,
urged the HCLC to take Attorney General TOM CLARK into eourt for listing the
HCLC as a subversive organisation# He referred to TOM CLARK as a typ&cal
prejudiced Texan#

Confidential Informant
speaker at an HCLC mee 1

on May 19, 1949, stated that /DAVIS had been a guest
ay 1 6, 1949* He stated that -J DAVIS gave a short talk

-7 -

HOH Pile 100*5082

/

y

b2

b6

b7C

b7D

in which he stated he was a member of the National Board of the Civil Eights
Congress and that foll owing this talk, DAVIS was presented with a 12x1V' picture
of PAUL ROBESON* I I stated that DAVIS in accepting this gift said, "This is
the great one." PAUL ROBESON. Ne gro entertainer, was identified as a Communist
Party member by l ~| self-admitted Communist Party member on 2/l9/k0

before the House Committee on Un-JU»riean Activities in Washington, D* 0. in
1949# T

b2

b7D

Confidential Informant I [ advised on June 12, 1949 that the Subject and his

wlft were among sixty persons who attended a benefit picnic for the striking
members of the International Longshoremen's and WArshous men’s Union on
June 11, 1949* The ILfU Regional Director, JACK HAUy is now on trial in
Honolulu for violation of the Smith Act of 1940* I I stated that CHARLES FUJI-
HOT 0, self -announced Chairman of the Communist Party in Hawaii, was also present*

On June 16, 1950* I 1 advised that DAVIS stated that he became interested in the
Communist Party in 1931 while an editor of the ATLANTA DAILY 1K)RLD, a Negro
newspaper, and that he had become interested in the Coauinist Party Largely D -
beca use of the Scottsboro Case and the Herndon Case# I | stated that DAVIS b7D
urged f I to became a member of the Communist ftrty*

Confidential Informant I | of known reliability, stated on July 20, 1950*
that the Subject, on April 26, 1950, bad sent a contribution to the International
Workers Order, New York City, in the amount of $5*52# The International Workers
Order was cited as subversive by Attorney General TOM CLARK on December 4,

1947*

HI# IRTTINQS

A review of the HONOLULU RECORD newspapers from Deo ember, 1948, through Hay 26,
1949, by the writer, showed that the Subject had written against racial dis-
crimination, had attacked the Un-American Activities Committee, and the Marshall
Plan# In the issues from June 23, 1949, through January 19 , 1950, Subject bad
opposed the Territorial Loyalty Oath for employees of the Territory of Hawaii*

He also objected to Senator HUGH BUTLER'S report to Congress on statehood for
Hawaii in which BUTLER stated that Communism was a menace* DAVIS also pre-
dicted depression and blamed %ig business n for preparing for a new world war in
order to maintain profits* He condemned the Atlantic Pact* He accused the
FBI of being an agency used to spy upon those who disagree with the status quo
of "big business** He attacked PHILIP MURRAY and the CIO as tools of "big
business** He denounced the conviction of eleven Communist leaders in New
York and condemned anti-Comaunist hysteria in America*

— 8 —

I

The House Committee on Un-American Activities* in a report on the HONOLULU
RECORD* dated October 1* 1950* stated on page lit

"When Hr* DAVIS* column first appeared in the RECORD in May, 1949*.
the RECORD boasted that the author mas a member of the national
executive board of the Civil Rights Congress* .The organisation
is cited as Communist by Attorney General TOM CLARK as veil as by
tHe Committee on Un-American Activities* Mr* DAVIS has signed a
number of statements in behalf of Communists under the sponsorship
of the Civil Rights Congress) one of these defended vas GERHART
EISLER, notorious Communist international agent uho escaped jailing
for passport fraud by fleeing to the Soviet eeetor of Germany*

"Other front organizations of the Communist Party with which Mr*

DAVIS has associated includes American Youth for Democracy* Abraham
Lincoln School, National federation for Constitutional Liberties*
League of American Writers* the National Negro Congress* and the
Hawaii Civil Liberties Committee*"

It should be noted that all of the above have been designated by the Attorney
General as Communist organizations coming within the purview of Presidential
Executive Order 9635*

The House Committee on Un-American Activities, in its report on the HONOLULU
RECORD, published October 1* 1950* describes FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS as the
author of a regular veek3y column in the HONOLULU RECORD entitled, "Frankly
Speaking Page 10 of this report states s

"Mr* DAVIS 1 column defends Communists and attacks capitalism
with the same vigor as columns appearing regularly in the
DAIIX WORKER and other frankly Communist publications*"

c •

%

-

- 9 -

HON File 100*£082

A review of the HONOLULU RECORD, February 9, 1950, through October 12, 1950,
showed DAVIS had attacked the CIO for backing the Atlantic Piet, had expressed
disappointment at the perjury convict ion of HASH! BRIDGES, President of the
UNU, bad attacked the work of the House Un-American Activities Committee in
Hawaii, and had stated that intervention by the United States in Asia was for
the purpose of preserving the rule of the imperialists* In one issue he
stated he had signed the World Peace Appeal issued in Stockholm, Sweden, although
he knew such action to be subversive* In the January 25, 1951, issue of the
HONOLULU RECORD, DAVIS stated the United States was interested in starting a
war while Russia was expanding peace-time production*

In the July 26, 1951 issue, he attacked the United States Department of Justice
for being anti-Negro • He stated that capital punishment was a device used to
maintain white supremacy* In the April 17, 1952 issue of the HONOLULU RECORD,
he ectlfcbed PAUL ROBISON eg a great artist and one who wee called “free" by
millions of the oppressed*

IV* PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is aphyslcal description of the Subject as obtained from Selective
Service files of Local Board 82, Chicago, Illinois: .

Name

Date of Birth
Race

Nationality

Height

Weight

E^yes

Hair

Social Security No*

FRANK MARSHALL WIS

December 31, 1906, Arkansas City,

Kansas \ _ . A •

Negro

American

6 * 1 *

230 lbs*

Brown

Black

337-l6-3it59

- p*.

W *—

■IP «

*• t ' - *

HON File 100-5082

ADMINISTHATIFg

Informants

Identity of
Source

Date of
Activity

Date

Received

Agent to Whoa
Famished

I l ie Ghieago

Confidential
Source

I H

12AA8 12AA8 JOIN 1 . GLENVULE

sA3A?

S/3iA»

12 A 6 A 8

1 / 22 A 9

5AA?

5A4A»

6 A 1 A?

1 / 30 A 0

6 A 6/50

12 / 5 A 3

3AA5

12 A 3

6AU

1/9 Ai

2A3Ai

2A2M

2Ai»AU
11 AU

6Afc

SAA7

UA7

2A3A9

5/31A9

12/U.A8

1/23A9

S/6/U9

5A9A9

6A2A9

2A7/SO

6/21/50

UA3

3/6AS

lAU

2AAU

aAAk

2/AAb

nAaAJt

SAaAS

6/23 A 6

SAA7

i»A6A7

WIDE E. KNAPP
0

WILLIAM F. DOYLE
n

WADE E. KNAPP

«

WILLIAM F. DOYLE
WADE E. KNAPP

«

NED E. NEUTZLINQ
GEORGE P. BYRNE, JR*

NED E. NEDTZUM}
GEORGE P* BYRNE, JR.

NED E. NEUTZLING
n
n

GEORGE P. BYRNE, JR*

J. P. MCMAHON
DON C. SWANSON

JOHN F* GLENVILLE

M

File Where Iioeated

100-5082-63

100-5082-18

100-5082-53

100-5082-5

100-5082-13

100-5082-51

100-5082-52

100-5082-65

100-5082-111

100-5082-13?

100-5082-37
100-5082-38 b2

100-5082-37 b7D
100-5082-38

100-5082-37

100-5082-37

100-5082-37

100-5082-37

100-5082-37

100-5082-38

100—5082-63

100-5082*63

100-5082*63

100-5082-63

HOI File 100-5082

' I'- .

n *5

ADMINISTRATIVE

Informants

Source

Date of
Activity

Date

Received

Agent to Vhon
Furnished

Pile Where Located

U/21.22,

23A7

U/a, 22 ,

23Ai

JOHN F. GLENVILLE

100-5082-43

9A?A8

9/18

JOHN F. GLENVILLE

100-508240

1

h/26/<a

7/20/50

HADE E. KNAPP

100-50824l5^ b 2

b6

b7C

b7D

REFERENCE: Report of Special Agent JOHN R. HOOD, dated October 6, 1952*

^Jrr

- 12 -

VTANDMO FORM HO. M

Office Men. Aum • united states government

FD-122

(1-2-51)

TO : Director, FBI (100-328955)

C : SAC, Honolulu (100-5082)

SUBJECT: FRANK MARSHALL^DAVIS

IS - C

1/21/53

It is recommended that a Security Index Card be prepared on the
above-captioned individual.

The Security Index Card on the captioned individual ..should be
changed as follows; (Specify change only) - r. 2

-H -- D

>- t_tj CD

ALIASES

‘ VXI
m

o c_m

NATIVE BORN

NATURALIZED

ALIEN

COMMUNIST

SOCIALIST 1V0HCERS PARTY

MISCELLANEOUS (Specify^
TAB FOR DETCOM

TAB FOR COMSAB

INDEPENDENT SOCIALIST LEAGUE

DATE OF BIRTH

PUCE OF BIRTH

BUSINESS ADDRESS (Show name of employing concern and address )

Owner, Oahu Papers, 867 Ahua, Honolulu

Also columnist Honolulu Record. 811 Sheridan S+--

NATURE OF INDUSTRY OR BUSINESS (Specify from Vital Facility Ust)

RESIDENCE ADDRESS

. >» _ c / /

LL INKUKMAllUN CONlAINEU

JRH:FT

ViERE^lS UNCLASSIFIED^

^ i — - v/ i

*

File No.:

100-3-

Office of Origin: Honolulu

Born (Country & Date): US 12/3/05

If Naturalized

(a) Year :

(b) Prior Nationality:

If Alien, Nationality:

Last Report Reviewed: 10/6/52

TOP secret - security .on

Name: FRANK, ‘ - DAVIS

dep

Address: Kapapa District of Windward Oahu *

Occupation: Owns & operates

Qnployer: Oahu Papers, a retail supply business
o i;06 Proad, Honolulu

Last Activity: At HCRC meeting, 7/51 (R.10/6/52,
P.2).

Organizations :

Activities:

JST ‘C'9'2'1 VJS-

Mi INFORMATION CONTAINED

Remarks:

*'*%, q/qT

e /a - S’ A 0 .

DS3DAB &BSEDBB EJi

O

J=>

~JZ>

o

tn

~X)

zz

r.~

3 >

/

VKQ200ZSP0 00 CODOPoridJcSD
Q3p$$Qnod "SOCQUMOB PrQQr GDx>"
<2o$0<3 0# 1032 0 /POD

/tootfo’DauD' (TarccpGjj
02rjoy MI approving $ho nzdo of OJ la
Gboua~GGp$Gcno& god IQ v$ dual fop
tfwluotcn go Cfta £c?c&p8% Si idoc*

Approval appear o $n Serial
jZ00»S3£0££M0»

% IT? ac ts

j (&<&*■

Standards Applicable (circle): IA, IBa, IBb, IBc, IBd, IBe, II, III.

ftroceesed by:

H.yievedjbv :

‘ 4 jz qjlyl'

FBI Notified;

(Date)

Date:

Date:

(initials)

Positive fl Negative £J
Positive n Negative f~ l

THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT HONOLULU

REPORT. MADE AT

HONOLULU

DATE WHEN

9/U755

PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE

9/7,8/53

REPORT MAOS BY

ROBERT G. KUNKEL

aej

title (fy

FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS

CHARACTER OF CASE

INTERNAL SECURITY - C

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:

Informant has advised subject as a CP member attended Communist
Party Cultural Club meetings in Chicago, Illinois between September,
19l*6 and February, 19U8, during which period subject also taught
a course at Abraham Lincoln School which has been cited as a sufctr
versive organization under Executive Order 10ii£0. On £-31-53
subject was elected President of the Hawaii Civil Rights Congress,
an affiliate of the Civil Rights Congress which has been cited
as subversive under executive order 10L50 . Subject continues to
write a weekly column reflecting the CP line in the Communist lips ’! T
spaper "Honolulu Record."

- P*

DETAILS;

i)

I. BACKGROUND

AT BONOL

\ .V

*

The following is the current Backgro und inf ormation on the
subjec^ as reported by Confidential Informant I I of known relia-
bility,\on July 6, 1953. ' 1

«£§i

\

A'.

b2

b7D

EMPLOYMENT

\

Owner O a hu Papers, 867 Ahua Street and columnist for the
"Honolulu Record Publishing Company. Ltd.". 811 Sheridan Street,
which has been described by I I a self admitted former

member of the Communist Party in Hawaii from 1938 to 1939, and a
member of the Executive Board of the Communist Party in Hawaii
for several years as publishers of the "Weekly Record", a Communist

b6
b7C!

APPROVED AND - SPECIAL AaENT

FORWARDED:ypL<<*fc*# IN CHARGE

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

RECORDED - 73

COPIES OF THIS REPORT

s - Bureau ilOO-328955) (REGISTER
3 - H0nol\pikKl00^082)

COPY IN FILE 7

6 c

SDjJttg?. v1 ^

INDEXED ■ 73

' “ '

PROPERTY OF FBI— THIS CONFIDENTIAL REPORT AND ITS CONTENTS ARE LOANED TO YOU BY THEJB1 AND ARE NOj;
AGENCY TO WHICH LOANED,

HN 100-5082

B. RESIDENCE

Care of Hauula Post Office, Oahu, T.K.j House is located
between Kaliuwaa and Punaluu, Oahu, about 100 feet beyond the turn
to Sacred Forest, and is the third house from the Ching Tong Sing
Store on the beach side toward Hauula.

II. CONNECTIONS WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY

Confidential Inf ormant l L of known reliability, and a

former member of the Communist Party from September 19U6 to Feb-
ruary 191*8, advised on March 5, 1 953, that she understood DAVIS
to be a Communist Party Member because DAVIS had acknowledged his , ~
membership to her, and she recalled seeing him at a few meetings
of the Communist Party Cultural Club in Chicago* Informant also b7D
advised that DAVIS taught a course entitled "Jazz" at the Abraham
Lincoln School in Chicago in 1 91*6.

The Abraham Lincoln School, Chicago, Illinois, has been
cited as a subversive organization by the U. S. Attorney General
under Executive Order 101*5° •

Confidential Informan t | of known reliability, who is
acquainted with Communist activities in the Territory of Hawaii,
advised on September 7, 1 953, that he knew of no information that
would connect the subject directly to the Communist Party in the
Territory of Hawaii.

III. ACTIVITIES IN COMMUNISTS FRONTS

A. HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS CCNGRESS (HCRC )

The Hawaii Civil Rights Congress, an affiliate of the
Civil Rights Congress, is a subversive organization coming within
the purview of Executive Order 101*50 under which the U. S* Attorney , «
General cited the Civil Rights Congress and all of its affiliates
and subversive organizations. b7D

Confidential Inf orman t | | of known reliability, advised

on May 31, 1953* that as of that aaue the subject had been elected
President of the HCRC and upon accepting the presidency, stated that
as Americans we are at the Stalingrad point in human rights. It is
time to defend such rights with our lives, he continued, stating
everyone should let people know the HCRC stands behind the Consti-
tution and the Bill of Rights, and that all members should become
thoroughly familiar with the Bill of Rights. By doing this, the
members can alleviate the fear some people may have in participating
in current HCRC activities.

2

i

t

/

HN 100-^082

Xnformantl I further advised that since the subject was

elected President or the HCRC, he has attended the following HCRC
meetings* 6-9-53, 7~7~53 and 7-18-53*

B. THE HONOLULU RECORD PUBLISHING COMPANY, LIMITED

A review of the weekly issues of the "Honolulu Record"
from April 2, 1 953* to August 27, 1953* reflects subject continues
to write a weekly column entitled “Frank-ly Speaking*" It is
noted the "Honolulu Record" has been previously described in this
report as a Communist controlled organization* A review of his
weekly articles reflects that he has supported the National Lawyers
Guild, Soviet VRussiah Foreign Policy in Southeast Asia; proposed
U.N. recognition of Communist China, airing of American Negro
grievances before the U.N*, saving the ROSENBERGS, and U. S.
Disarmament; and was against U. S. War Econony, Tidelands Oil Bill,
Smith Act of 19U0, and the naming of JAMES F. BARNES as a delegate
to the U*N* because of Racism and White Supremacy.

IV* MISCELLANEOUS

Confidential Informant of known reliability, advised
on March 13* 1953* that subject had a subscription to the “National
Guardian", published by the Weekly Guardian Associates, Inc., 17
Murray Street, New fork. New York. The subscription was scheduled
to expire in June, 1953*

The 19h9 report of the California Committee on un-American
Activities cited the "National Guardian" as a publication launched
in New York in 19U8, aiming at National Circulation which they found
to be from its inception notoriously Stalinist in its staff, writers,
management and content.

The report of the Commission on Subversive Activities
to the Legislature of the Territory of Hawaii dated March 1953*
states the following regarding the subjects

"FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS, an identified member of the Communist
Party and a resident of Hawaii since December, 19U8* has been a .
weekly contributor to the pages of the "Honolulu Record" since
May, 19U9. His column, entitled 'Frank-ly Speaking, 1 has been
devoted to unrelenting and unmitigated complaints of racial dis-
crimination in the United States. DAVIS has revealed himself to
be a bitter opponent of capitalism and a staunch defender of such

/

/

m 100-5082

prominent Communists and Cg jpmuni s t s ympath izers as PAUL ROBESON,

. wTTsr B*‘ DuB01S, lJkNGST0^iUGHES, HOWARD FAST, MARI McLEOD BETHUNE,

A i‘ EM B. DICKERS CM, CAREOTcWILLIAMS, ROBERT MORSE LOVETT, HERBERT,

' jfy ^PTHEKER , and A. CLMTO^OWEIi. Nor has DAVIS confined his in-
I / t*3 amm atory racial propaganda to the columns of the ‘’Honolulu Record”

alone. His story, , Hawaii , s Plain People Fight White Supremacy,*
appeared in the November, 1951 issue of ‘Freedom,’ a tabloid pub-
lication emanating from New York City, whose treatment of inter-
racial problems strikingly conforms to Communist Party policy.

The chairman of the editorial board of ’Freedom' is PAUL ROBESON,
an identified member of the Communist Party.

11 On March 3, 19U7> while DAVIS was employed as executive
editor of the ’Associated Negro Press’ with offices in Chicago,
Illinois, he was listed by the magazine ’Hi* as a signatory to a
petition urging Congress to abolish the House Un-American Activities
Committee and calling upon President TRUMAN to effect the immediate
release of Communist GERHART EISLER. The petition referred to the
work of the House Un-American Activities Committee as * undemocratic 1
activity and protested .that the consequence of its program ’would
be the ultimate suppression of all traditional American liberties ♦*

“Prior to his arrival in the Territory, FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS
was affiliated with the Communist-line ’Chicago Star* and the follow-
ing Communist-front organizations: CIVIL RIGHTS CONGRESS, CHICAGO

COMMITTEE FOR SPANISH FREEDOM, AMERICAN YOUTH FOR DEMOCRACY, ABRAHAM
LINCOLN SCHOOL NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTIES,
LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WRITERS, and NATIONAL NEGRO CONGRESS. During the
period of his residence in Hawaii he has played a prominent role
in the activities of the Communist-front Hawaii Civil Liberties
Committee and its successor the HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS CONGRESS.

“DAVIS is not known to receive any compensation from the
Honolulu Record Publishing Company, Ltd. His income appears to be
derived totally from his stationery and paper business which he
has advertised in the ’Honolulu Record* under the name *Oahu Papers,
86? Ahua Street* 1 ”

- P* -

u

HN 100-5082

ADMINISTRATIVE PAGE \

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS

FILE NO.

IDENTITY OF DATE OF D&E AGENT TO WHOM YrfHERE

SOURCE ACTIVITY RECEIVED FURNISHED LOCATED

Pretext tel. 7/6/53 7/6/53 JOHN R. HOOD 100-5082-322

call to (Orally)

LEADS

HONOLULU DIVISION

AT HONOLULU, T. H.

Will continue to follow and report the activities
of the subject.

REFERENCE t Report of SA JOHN R. HOOD dated 3-31-53* at Honolulu.

5

UiO, BCHiIMLtl ( 100-5082) February 3 , 1954

DIRFUIOF, FBI (100-328355)

t'pjl j DAY I a

jLiWte... L VZCUBITY - C

v . B6C0R0ED-53 / &C ~?}3- 8

^ Attached f - r your information and the completion of

your files is a photostat containing information reportedly
prepared from the public records , files and publications of
the Committee on un-.jzerican activities , House of rtepresentutives,
(HCl/A), You will note th^t this information was evidently com-
piled for Senator Lillian P. Jenner , Chairman, aanato Subcommittee
on Internal Security, a>.d was furnished to the Bureau by former
Inspector Leo Pennington who is presently/ Director, national
Americanism Commission of the American Legion • The inclusion
of this information in HOV/i files has not bean verified bu this
'ur ecu,

A comparison of the information contained in the
attached photostat with information In subject's r.ain file
reflects that the Bureau is already in possession of much of
the same information » However , since Davis' main file does
not reflect each individual item as set forth in the attachment,
you should include same in the next report prepared by your
Office in this case*

erTANOMRD FORM NO. I

, Office M^CmorMdum •

lift

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO *

FROM *

SUBJECT:

MR- A, H- BELMONT

MR . J\ P m NEAT

date; February 3 3
1954

FRANK MARSHALL \ DAVIS
INTERNAL SECURITY - C

ALL MKmUlt

kkbbhcu 3 »

Tolson

L»<td

Nichols

Belmont —

Clej S

Glnrin . . —
Hirbo — —

Rosen

Trscy

Gesrtr —

Mohr —

Vtiuerrowd -
Tele. Room .
Holtomso —

Si zoo

M«s Gandy .

wUk-

The attached memorandum containing information concerning
captioned individual was furnished to the Bureau on January 11, 1954, by
former Inspector Lee Pennington, presently Director, National Americanism
Commission of the American Legion. Pennington advised he had obtained
same from Dick Arens, Senate Subcommittee on Immigration of the Committee
on the Judiciary. It is noted that the attached memorandum contains informa-
tion which, according to the House Committee on Un-American Activities,

U. S. House of Representatives, is contained in the public records, files
and publications of that Committee. This information was evidently prepared
for Senator William E. Jenner, Chairman, Senate Subcommittee on Internal
Security. ... ^

'/-y'

It is further noted that subject's name appeared in the October 1,

1953, issue of the ’’Daily Worker, ” east coast Communist newspaper, as 5

one of 99 ’’notables” who were reported in that particular issue as sponsors
of a National Conference to Repeal the McCarran - Walter Law. The con- £

ference was scheduled for December 12 and 13, 1953, Walsh’s Hall, 1014 £

North Noble Street, Chicago, Illinois, under the auspices of the American £

Committee for Protection of Foreign Born. This organization has been g

designated by the Attorney General pursuant to Executive Order 10450. > a

I 9 — Q

Captioned individual is (xomot^ the subject of a pending (oiosed) p

/Internal Security - c investigation. Subject is fasanat) listed on £

6 ythe Security Index. Honolulu is the Office of Origin in £

' this case.

OBSERVATIONS:

A comparison of the information contained in the attached
memorandum with information already in subject's Twain file reflects

that the Bureau is already in possession of much of the same
information • While some of the information contained in the
attachment appears to be new and pertinent , it is not thought

. €g° RD ^53

\ 1 - Internal Security ** 0 (

n !

-5^

Security

A. W

•*> ’t

that it is necessarily the basia for further investigation at
this time • It is recommendedj however , that a photostat of
the HCUA memorandum be forwarded to the office of origin for
inclusion in the next report submitted by that Office in this
cas e.

RECOMMENDATION:

That if you approve 3 the attached letter be forwarded
to Honolulu •

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/tc. - 3 S'

INFORMATION FROM THE FILES OF THE COMMITTEE ON UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES

U. S. HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES

DATE: ..QctebfiX„ZQ.>„1353

FOR: ..Honorable William E. J enner, C hairman

Senate Subcommittee on Internal Security
SUBJECT: -.Frank Marshall .ilaV-ia.

The public records, files and publications of this Committee contain the
following information concerning Frank Marshall Davis* This report should not be
construed as representing the results of an investigation by or findings of this
Committee and it should be noted that the subject individual is not necessarily a
Communist, a Communist sympathizer, or a fellow-traveler, unless otherwise indicated*

" In a printed program of a dinner celebrating the first anniversary of
the American Youth for Democracy, October 16, 19U*, Frank Marshall Davis was listed
as one of the sponsors. He sent greetings to the Second National Convention of
the American Youth for Democracy in New York City, June 13-16, 1916, as shown by the
"Proceedings 0 (p. 35) in which he was identified as Executive Editor, Associated
Negro Press. * /

In 19U*, the Special Coueiittee on Un-American Activities cited the
American Youth for Democracy as the new name under which the Young Communist league
operates (Report 1311, March 29, 19ldi, page 102). It was again cited by this
Committee in 19L7 as a front formed in October 19U3 to succeed the Yeung Communist
League end for the purpose of exploiting to' the advantage of a foreign power the
idealism, inexperience, and craving to join which is characteristic of American
college youth* Its "high-sounding slogans" cover "a determined effort to disaffect
our youth and to turn them against religion, the American home, against the college
authorities, and against the American Government itself" (Report 271, April 17,
19i*7). The U. S. Attorney General cited the American Youth for Democracy as sub-
versive and CcBBouoist (press releases of December L, 19U7 and September 21, 191$).

It was redesignated on April 27, 1933 pursuant to Executive Order No. lOlpO,

The Abraham Lincoln School was cited by the Special Committee on Un-
American Activities as the successor of the Workers School and as a "Ccsamunist
educational medium" in Chicago (Report 1311, March 29, 19hh, page H2). The U* So
Attorney General cited the school a3 an adjunct of the Communist Party (press
release, December i*, 19V?)* and it was redesignated April 27, 1953 pursuant to
Executive Order No, 101*50. Jrank Marshall Davis entertained at the Abraham Lincoln
School, as shown in a bulletin for short courses issued by the School, May 2^rJune
30, 19l$* In testimony before the Committee on July 21, 19U7, Walter S. Steele )
named Mr. Davis as a member of the faculty, Abraham Lincoln School (Public Hearings,
page 52).

Frank Marshall Davis was one of the sponsors of a National Conference
on American Policy in China and the Far East, as shown on the "Call 11 to the Confer-
ence held in Mew York City fra® January 23 to 2$, 19U&. He was identified in this
source as Assistant Editor, Chicago Star. The National Conference on American
policy* , • was cited as Communist and f, a conference called by the Committee for
a Democratic Far Eastern Policy" by the U« S* Attorney General (press release of
July 25, 19U9)} the Committee for a Democratic Far. . • was also cited as Communist

srsOOSURP-

by the Attorney General (press release, April 2?, 19k9) and was redesignated.

April 27, 1953 pursuant to Executive Order No. 10ii50* .

In 19kl Frank Marshall. Davis signed a news release of the National
Federation for Constitutional Liberties dated December 26, 191*1; he signed a
statement of the organization opposing the use of injunctions in labor disputes,
as shown in an advertisement that appeared in the New York "Times" for April 1,

19U6 (page 16) j he also signed a statement of the organization hailing the War
Department's order on commissions for Communists, as reported in the "Daily
Worker" of March 16, 191*5 (page 2).

The National Federation for Constitutional Liberties was cited by
Attorney General Francis Biddle as "part of what Lenin called the solar system of
organizations, ostensibly having no connection with the Communist Party, by which
Communists attempt to create sympathizers and supporters of their program" (Con-*
gressional Record, September 2k, 19k2, page 7667); The U. S. Attorney General
cited the Federation as subversive and Communist (press releases, December k > 191*7
and September 21, 191*3 and it was redesignated on April 27, 1953 pursuant to
Executive Order No. 101*50.

The Special Committee on Un-American Activities cited the National
Federation as "one of the viciously subversive organisations of the Communist Party"
(Report of March 29, 19kk, page 50; also cited in Reports of June ‘25, 19l*2 and
January 2, 19k3); the Committee on Un-American Activities reported that it w an among
a "maze of organizations" which were "spawned for the alleged purpose of defending
civil liberties in general but actually intended to protect Communist subversion

; om any penalties under the law" (Report of September 2, 19i*7, page 3).

The "Daily Worker" of August 12, 1936 (page 3) listed Frank M. Davis
as a contributing editor of "The Spokesman," official organ of the Youth Section,
National Negro Congress. Mr. Walter S. Steele testified before the CGramittee in
public hearings on July 21, 19k?, as follows: "According to Communist reports,

police raided the meeting of the labor division of the (National Negro) congress
at the (Tenth) convention, arresting 37 of its members. Listed among those it claims
were taken to jail were . . . Frank M. Davis. . .« (Public Hearings, page 9k).

/ "The Communist-front movement in the United States among Negroes is

known as the National Negro Congress. * # #The officers of the National Negro Con-
gress are outspoken Communist sympathizers , and a majority of those on the executive
board are outright Communists. " (Report of January 3, 1939, page 8lj also cited in
Reports of January 3, 19kD; June 25, 19k2; and March 29, 19kk). The organization
was also cited as a Communist front by the U. S. Attorney General (Congressional
Record, September 2k, 19U2, pages 7667 and 7688) and as subversive and Communist
by the Attorney General (press releases of December k, 19k7 and September 21, 19k6).
The organization was redesignated on April 27, 1953 pursuant to Executive Order No.
10U50.

The "Daily People's World" of October 28, 19k7 (page k) named Frank
Marshall Davis as one of the sponsors of a National Conference of the Civil Rights
Congress in Chicago, November 21-23, 19k7; he signed a statement of the Congress in
defense of Gerhart Eisler ("Daily Worker," February 23, 19k7, page 2); a paid
advertisement of the Congress that appeared in the Washington (D.C.) "Post"' on
May 20, 19k7 (page 13) carried the name of Frank M. Davis as one of those who
signed a statement of the Congress in defense of the Communist Party.

W - 3 - w •

He signed a letter of the Congress, scoring the Subversive Control Act of 19L8
("Daily* Worker,” April 26, 191*8, page 1). He also signed an Open Letter to Con-
gress, endorsing the defeat of the Mundt Bill (H.R. 5852.), as shown in a full-
page advertisement in the Chicago "Sun-Times 4 on May 11, 191*8 (page 37).

The Civil Rights Congress was cited a3 subversive and Communist by the
U. S. Attorney General in lists furnished the Loyalty Review Board and released to
the press by the U. S. Civil Service Commission, December 1*, 19l*7 and September 21,
191*8* In the Committee's Report on the Civil Rights Congress, it was cited as
an organization formed in April I9i*6 as a merger of two other Communist-front
organizations (International Labor Defense and the National Federation for Con-
stitutional Liberties); "dedicated not to the broader issues of civil liberties,
but specifically to the defense of individual Communists and the Communist Party"
and "controlled by individuals who are either members of the Communist Party or
openly loyal to it" (Report 1115, September 2, 19U7, pages 2 and 19). The
organization was redesignated on April 27, 1953 by the U. S. Attorney General,
pursuant to Executive Order No« 101*50 «

^Frank Marshall Davis was a member of the League of American Writers,
as shown in "The Bulletin" of the League (page 6); the Summer (1938) issue of "The
Bulletin" listed him as Treasurer of the Chicago Chapter of the League. He signed
the "Call to the Fourth Congress, June 6-8, 191*1, New York City,", sponsored by
the League. (See "New Masses," April 22, 191*1, page 25; and a leaflet entitled
"In Defense of Culture.")

In three of its Reports, the Special Committee on Un-American Activities
cited the League of American Writers as a Communist front (Reports dated January
3, 191*0; June 25, 19l*2 ; and March 29, 19l*L). "The League of American Writers,
founded under Communist auspices in 1935 * * * in 1939 * * * began openly to
follow the Communist Party line a3 dictated by the foreign policy of the Soviet
Union. * * * The overt activities of the League of American Writers in the last
2 years leave little doubt of its Communist control." (lu S. Attorney General,
Congressional Record, September 2l*, 19l*2, pages 7685 and 7686.) U, S. Attorney
General, in his letters to the Loyalty Review Board, cited the League as subversive
and Communist (press releases, June 1 and September 21, 19l«8) and it was re-
designated on April 27, 1953 pursuant to Executive Order No* 101*50.

The "Daily Worker" of July 23, 191*8 (page 11) reported that Frank
Marshall Davis attacked the arrest of Communist Party leaders; he was identified
in this source as Executive Editor, Associated Negro Press, Chicago, 111.

Reference to Frank Marshall Davis is found on page 10 of the Committee's
Report on The Honolulu Record, released October 1, 1950, a copy of which is en-
closed. A reference to him is also found on page 17 of the enclosed "Report on
Hawaii Civil Liberties Committee."

1 “ * *

■ - / *> ~ k

t

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*T BM|

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' Form No. 3

•

■

FD-202

r»

FEDERAX BUREAU

OF INVESTIG?

iTION

THIS CASE

ORIGINATED AT

HONOLULU

REPORT MADE AT

DATE WHEN MADE

PERIOD FOR

HONOLULU

3/25/54

WHICH MADE

3/9-11/54

T.T« O

FRAHK MARSHALL DAVIS

REPORT MADE BY

ROBERT G. KUNKEL

\Ap n '6

SUPPLEMENTARY

SUMMARY REPORT

ir\ I >fl r

’V J}

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: Q ^ *

Su bject was identified as a member of the CP in Hawaii from 1950-52
by j | a self -admitted, former member of the CP

in Hawaii* subject continues to be a columnist for the Communist- -
line ’’Honolulu Record" and since 5/31/53 has served as president oi^^
Communist -front HCRC. Subject is a subscriber to the "National b7C
Guardian’’* Record of the HCUA set forth.

DETAILS x

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AT HONOLULU , T* H* :

I. BACKGROUND

AGENCY LUL

REQ. REC’D

DATE FORW. k

r m \wf/

KR 13

' g/r

yy\<uk> ~

On January 20,' 1954, Confidential Informant | | of known ^2 ,

reliability, verified the following background information on subject: b7D

Residence: c/o Hauula Post Office, Oahu* House is located between

Kaliuvraa and Punaluu, Oahu, about 100 feet beyond the
turn to Sacred Falls and is the third house from the
<?$> c hing Tong Sing Store on the beach side of the road toward

*t>^f^ auula *

SPECIAL AGENT
IN CHARGE

I O’ ■

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

DsOV^4th HD (messenger)
401st CIC Det., USARPAC,
(messenger) . /

OSI, Hiclcara AFB (EM) ffti

am. mth u iat 11

wmmamx

hiJ Confidential report and its contents are loaned to you by the FBI and are not to be distributed outside ol

3 - Honolulu (100-5082) agency to which loaned.

HN 100-5002

Employment i

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Owner, Oahu Papers, 867 Ahua Street, H
for the Honolulu Record Publishing Cn mnanv. Ltd *1 .
Honolulu, which has been described by|

olulu, and oolumnist
811 Sheridan Street,

lse.lf=*adraitted — J,^/.

former member of t he_Communist Party -of Hawaii from 1937-1949 and a
member of the Executive Board of the Communist Party in Hawaii for
several years, as publishers of the English-language weekly "Honolulu
Record", whose editorial policies and slanting of the news were
controlled by the Executive Board of the Communist Party in Hawaii#

II. CONNECTIONS^WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY

self-admitted_formar member of the

Communist Pa rty in Hawaii from 1947 to June 1952, made the following
signed statement to SA LEO S. BRENNEISEN on November 10, 1953*

November 10, 1953
Honolulu, T# H#

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•l,[

J am going to make the following

voluntary statement to LEO S. BRENNEISEN, known to me as a
Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I am
willing to appear in court and testify to the following facta?
to be cross-examined by Counsel and faced by FRANK MARSHALL
DAVIS .

"I believe it was in 1949 in Honolulu, T. H# when I first met
FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS at a social function sponsored by the
Hawaii Civil Liberties Committee. I had previously joined the
Communist Party in San Francisoo in 1946 and transferred my
membership in January, 1947 to tlie Communist...Party of Hawaii.

In 1950 after the Coirammist^ar^^Jia^^t^ucted a series of
control interviews | | known -to me as a

Commu nist Party Organizer, toldi'me tha t the Par ty was being
reorganized and was going underground. | | explained to me

that the Party was being broken down into "Groups of 3*s n and.
that I was being made chairman of Group and in addition given
the assignment of being contact man for my own group and four

be
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HN 100-5082

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'bther groups# | | advised me that Chairman of Group #10

was FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS and I was to contact him at DAVIS 1
office, then maintained in a building of the Crown Transfer
Company in the Damon Tract near the Airport#

"Late in the fall of 1950, I stanfc^d contacting FRANK MARSHALL
DAVIS in connection with Commug^t Party matters, and relaying
to him information rece:

Communist Party, eitheij

y flimarini" nnn-hA<vh in -hVifi

j.ved from nj

oJT

"During a portion of 1950,
contacting FRANK MARSHALL
Communist Party received
the period of mv oontacH
me that his wifeJ_ rwaTs

1951^itifd part of 1952, I continued
DAAJ2S and also transmittejj^tfues for the b6
fjama him to my contact afeove. During i np
[RANK JIABSHAIA)^mS,.he advised
iember of Group # 10 • I was never
advised of the identity of a third of that group, or the fact -t~u

that th ere was a third member in the group# During a portion Tj-Cli

of 1951 1 I took over contacts with the

DAVIS group but I resumed contacting DAVIS in 1952 and con-
tinued meeting him on Communist Party matters until I left the
Party in June of that 'year.

"I have previously mentioned having observed FRANK MARSHALL
DAVIS at a social function of the Hawaii Civil Liberties
Committee in 1949# In 1951, I was elected Treasurer of the
Hawaii Civil Rights Congress, formerly the Hawaii Civil Liberties
Committee* During 1951 and 1952, DAVIS was a member of the
Hawaii Civil Rights Congress and attended both regular meetings
and social functions sponsored by that organization.

"Of course I have also known FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS as the
columnist and author of "Frankly Speaking" in the "Honolulu
Record*" I have attended Communist Party Section Committee
meetings and know that this paper was controlled and started
up by the Executive Board of Communist Party of Hawaii. In late
1950, I recall having conversation with DAVIS when he pointed
out that he was the only one consistently plugging the "Peace
Line#" At that time, of course, "Peace in Korea" was the
accepted Communist Party line#

n /s/ I have read the above statement# It is the truth#

A/ \

"Witnessed this 10th day of November, 1953, at Honolulu, T.H#

/s/ Leo S. Brenneisen, SA, FBI, Honolulu, T#H# "

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V

HU 100-5082

Confidential Informant

□

arty f;

of known reliability, and a
rom September 1946 to February

former member of the Communist Party
1948, advised on March 5, 1953, that she understood subject to be a
Communist Party member because subject had acknowledged his member-
ship to her and she recalls seeing him at a few meetings of the
Communist Party Cultural Club in Chicago* Informant also advised
subject taught a course entitled "Jazz'* at the Abraham Lincoln School
in Chicago in 1946* The Abraham Lincoln School has been designated
by the United States Attorney General, pursuant to Executive Order
10450.

Confidential Informart [ | of known reliability who is
acquainted with Communist activities in the Territory of Hawaii,
advised on September 7, 1953, that he knew of no information which
would connect subject directly with the Communist Party in Hawaii.

b2

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III. ACTIVITIES Ifl COMMUNIST F ROUTS

A. Hawaii Civil Rights Congress (HCRC)

The Hawaii Civil Rights Congress (HCRC), an affiliate of the
Civil Rights Congress, has been designated by the United States Attorney
General, pursuant to Executive Order 10450.

Confidential Informant | | of known reliability, advised on
May 31, 1953, that as of that date subject had been elected president
of the HCRC and upon accepting the presidency stated "As Americans
we are in the Stalingrad point in human rights. It is time to defend
such rights with our lives. Everyone should let people know the HCRC
stands behind the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and that all
members should become thoroughly familiar with the Bill of Rights. By
doing this the members can alleviate the fear some people may have in.
participating in current HCRC activities."

Informant | | further advised that the subject has attended

and presided over as president the following HCRC meetings:

June 9, 1953
July 7, 1953
July 18, 1953
September 29, 1953
October 27, 1953

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HN 100-5082

B» The Honolulu Record Publishing Company, Ltd*

A review of the weekly issues of the "Honolulu Record” from
April 2, 1953 to March 4, 1954* reflects subject continues to write
a weekly column "Frankly Speaking"*

It is noted that the "Honolulu Record" has been previously
described in this report* A review of subject’s weekly columns
reflects that he has supported the National Lawyers Guild, the Soviet
Russia foreign policy in Southeast Asia, proposed UN recognition of
Communist China, airing of American Negro grievances before the UN and
United States, saving the ROSENBERG’S, and United States disarmament;
and was against U. S. war economy, tidelands oil bill. Smith Act,
McCarran Act, and the naming of JAMES F. BARNES as a delegate to
the UN because of racism and white supremacy.

C« Miscellaneous

The records of the Committee on Un-American Activities,

House of Representatives (HCUA), reflect the following information
on the subject;

In a printed program of a dinner celebrating the first
anniversary of the American Youth for Democracy (AYD), October 16,

1944, FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS was listed as one of the sponsors*

The AYD has been cited pursuant to Executive Order 10450 by
the United States Attorney General.

FRANK LIARS HALL DAVIS entertained at the Abraham Linooln
School, as shown in a bulletin for short courses issued by this
school, May 22 to June 30, 1944. The Abraham Lincoln School has been
described previously in this report.

Subjeot was one of the sponsors of the National Conference on
American Policy in China and the Far East, as shown on the "call" to the
conference held in New York City from January 23 to 25, 1948. The
National Conference on American Policy in China and the Far East has
been designated by the U. S. Attorney General, pursuant to Executive
Order 10450*

In 1941, subject signed a news release of the National
Federation for Constitutional Liberties, dated December 26, 1941;

- 5 -

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HN 100-5082

he signed a statement of the organization opposing the use of
injunctions in labor disputes as shown in an advertisement which
appeared in the April 1, 1946 issue of the New York Times; he also
signed a statement of the organization hailing the War Department's
order on Commissions for Communists, as reported in the "Daily Worker"
on March 18, 1945.

The National Federal for Constitutional Liberties has been
designated by the U. S. Attorney General pursuant to E.O. 10450.

The "Daily People's World" of October 28, 1947, named subject
as one of the sponsors of a national conference of the Civil Rights
Congress in Chicago, November 21-23, 1947; he signed a statement of the
Congress in defense of GERHART EISLBR ("Daily Worker", 2/28/47). A
paid advertisement of the Congress that appeared in the "Washington
Post", May 20, 1947, carried the name of FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS as one
of those who signed a statement of the Congress in defense of the
Communist Party.

The Civil Rights Congress has bean designated by the U. S.
Attorney General, pursuant to E.O. 10450.

*

Subject was a member of the League of American Writers, as
reflected in the summer 1938 issue of "The Bulletin", which also
listed subject as treasurer for the Chicago Chapter of the league.

The League of American Writers has been designated by the
U* S. Attorney General, pursuant to E.O. 10450.

b2

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On November 12, 1953, Confidential Informant |__| of known
reliability, advised that subject had a subscription to the "National
Guardian", published by the Weekly Guardian Associates, 17 Murray Street,
New York, N. Y. The subscription is scheduled to expire in June 1954.

The 1949 Report of the California Committee oa Un-Amerioan
Aotivities cited the "National Guardian" as a publication launched in
New York in 1948, aiming at national circulation, which they found to
be from its inception notoriously Stalinist in its staff, writers,
management and content.

- 6 -

V —

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gjj 100-5082

The report of the Commission on Subversive Activities to
the Legislature of the Territory of Hawaii , <jated March 1953, states the
following with regard to the subject t

"FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS, an identified member of the Communist
Party and a resident of Hawaii since December, 1948, has been a
weekly contributor to the pages of the Honolulu Record 1 since
May, 1949. His column, entitled 'Frank- ly Speaking,* has been
devoted to unrelenting and unmitigated complaints of racial
discrimination in the United States. DAVIS has revealed himself
to be a bitter opponent of capitalism and a staunch defender of
such prominent Communists and Communist sympathizers as PAUL
ROBESON, W. E. B. DuEOIS, LANGSTON HUGHES, HOWARD FAST, MARY
MoLEOD BETHUNE, EARL B. DICKERSON, CAREY McWILLIAMS, ROBERT
MORSE LOVETT, HERBERT APTHEKER, and A. CLAYTON POWELL. Nor has
DAVIS confined his inflammatory racial propaganda to the columns
of the ’Honolulu Record* alone. His story, 'Hawaii’s Plain
People Fight White Supremacy,' appeared in the November, 1951
issue of ’Freedom,' a tabloid publication emanating from New
York City, whose treatment of inter-racial problems strikingly
conforms to Communist Party polioy. The chairman of the
editorial board of 'Freedom' is PAUL ROBESON, an identified
member of the Communist Party.

"On March 3, 1947, while DAVIS was employed as executive
editor of the 'Associated Negro Press' with offices in Chicago,
Illinois, he was listed by the magazine 'PM* as a signatory to
a petition urging Congress to abolish the House Un-American
Activities Committee and calling upon President TRUMAN to effect
the immediate release of Communist GERHART EISLER. The petition
referred to the work of the House Un-American Activities Committee
as 'undemocratic* activity and protested that the consequenoe of
its program 'would be the ultimate suppression of all traditional
Amerioan liberties.'

"Prior to his arrival in the Territory, FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS
was affiliated with the Communist-line 'Chicago Star' and the
following Communist-front organizations: Civil Rights Congress,

Chicago Committee for Spanish Freedom, American Youth for
Democracy, Abraham Lincoln School, National Association for
Constitutional Liberties, League of American Writers, and
- National Negro Congress. During the period of his residence in
Hawaii he has played a prominent role in the activities of the

• - 7 -

HN 100-5082

"Communist-front Hawaii Civil Liberties Committee and its
successor the HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS CONGRESS.

"DAVIS is not known to receive any compensation from the
'Honolulu Record Publishing Company, Ltd* His income appears
to be derived totally from his stationery and paper business
which he has advertised in the ’Honolulu Record’ under the name
’Oahu Papers, 867 Ahua Street*’"

I l a former linotype operator for the Honolulu

Record Publishing Company, Ltd*, from 1949 to August 1953, advised
SA’s HAROLD L* CHILD, Jr., and the writer on September 29, 1953, that
he was acquainted with subject since the early 1930’s when subject was
editor of the "Atlanta Daily" at Atlanta, Georgia* He stated he later
met subject in Honolulu and was rather surprised to find that subject
had remarried and was living in rather luxurious fashion in contrast
to his early modest existenc e. Subject confidentially informed him
that his wifej ] had I ~~l

I I and was to i "~~~1 representing

the | | in. 1954 when she reaches the age

of thirty*

of known
"The

Firing Line", subtitled "Facts for Fighting Communism", published bi-
weekly by the National Americanism Commission of the American Legion at
Indianapolis, Indiana. This Bulletin quotes a list from the October
28, 1953 issue of "Korean Independence", a Korean-English, bi-lingual
newspaper published at Los Angeles, California* The list of the sponsors
of the National Conference to Repeal the Walter-McCarran Law and Defend
its Victims, to be held December 12, 1953 to December 13, 1953, at
Chioago, Illinois under the auspices of the American Committee for the
Protection of Foreign Born, included the name of FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS*

The " Korean Independence" has been described by Confidential
Informant ! I of known reliability, as a newspaper consistently
following the Communist Party line with respeot to criticism of
America’s Asiatic policy*

The American Committee for the Protection of Foreign Born
has been designated by the U. S. Attorney General, pursuant to
E*0* 10450.

- 8 -

On November 20, 1953, - Confidential Informant
reliability, made available the November 15, 1953, issue

n

ue of

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HN 100-5082

On January 28 ^^1864* Confidential Informant ! 1 of known
reliability. made ^gfTable a list of names maintained as a mailing

list bv I I Florida*

This list reflected the name of FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS in Hawaii*'

I I is described by | | as completely dedicated to

all Marxian theories* philosophy ana teachings.

t* Confidential informant

- PA -

4'

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HN 100-5082
Identity

Anonymous

‘Date of Activity
and/or Description

Date

Received

Agent to
whom

Furnished

File Number
where
Located

1/20/54

1/20/54

HAROLD C.

COOK

(orally)

100-5082-

364

1

I CP

3/5/53

ra. h«

MARTIN, Jr,

100-5082-

319

(orally)

9/7/53

9/7/53

LEO S.

BRENNEISEN

(orally)

HCRC

5/31/53

BREFNEISEN

(reports

6/9/53

tt

7/lO/fe 3

7/21/53

11

10/1/53

11

11/3/53

u

11/17/53

it

12/11/53

ti

12/17/53

n

VI9/54

it

National

Guardian

11/12/53

Korean

11/28/53

HAROLD L.

Independence ”

CHILD,

Jr,

100-5082-

534

100-5082-

320

100-5082-

324

100-4905-

lOOQ

100-4905-*.:''

7F

1

78

100-4905-
1031

352

b2

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FD-202

* Form No. 3

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVES'mrATION

TH,S CASE ORIGINATED

SUPPLEMENTARY

SUMMARY REPORT

\y

SOTOPSIS OF FACTS:

Su bject was identified as a member of the CP in Hawaii from 1950-52
by l I a self -admitted former member of the CP

in Hawaii. Subject continues to be a columnist for the Communist-
lin© "Honolulu Record” and since 5/31/53 has served as president of
Communist-front HCRC. Subject is a subscriber to the "National
Guardian”. Record of the HCUA set forth.

b6

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ca

DETAILS: AT HONOLULU , T. H. : ' r

I. BACKGROUND

On January 20, 1954, Confidential Informant ! j
reliability, verified the following background information

of known
on subject:

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Residence: c/o Hauula Post Office, Oahu. House is located between

Kaliuwaa and Punaluu, Oahu, about 100 feet beyond the
turn to Sacred Falls and is the third house from the
Ching Tong Sing Store on the beach sideyof the road toward
Hauula. \ /

APPROVED AND
FORWARDED:

SPECIAL AGENT

IN CHARGE

DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

'J 3

COPIES OF THIS REPORT

(%) - Bureau (100-328955) (tfM)

1 - DIO, 14th ND (messenger)
1 - 401st CIC Dot., USARPAC,
(messenger)

1 - 0SI, Hiclcam APB (RM)

PROPERTY OF FBI— This confidential report and its contents are loaned to you by the FBI and are not to be distributed outside of

3 - Honolulu (100-5082) agency to which loaned..

tL- .

Form No. 1

This CASE ORIGINATED AT HONOLULU

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION /

A-r XTATvTAT TTT TT vlJvWi.- ki Jj Alb

REPORT MADE AT

DATE WHEN PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE REPORT MADE BV

MADE

HONOLULU, T. H. 10/5/54 9/28; 10/1/54 ROBERT G. KUTIKEL fin

CHARACTER OP CASE

FRANK MARSHALL l>AVIS

'U& 'ft tb

INTERNAL SECURITY - C

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: ff

Subject continues to be President of the HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS CONGRESS,
an affiliate of the CIVIL RIGHTS CONGRESS, which along with its
affiliates has been designated by the United States Attorney General
pursuant to Executive Order 10l|50« Subject continues to write a
weekly column entitled "Frank-ly Speaking” for the weekly Communist-
line "Honolulu Record” « Informant advised subject* s column closely
follows the current Communist Party line*

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DETAILS:, AT HONOLULU. T. H.

I. BACKGROUND b7D

3>JfiEKG¥

REQ. REC’D r j—

DATE FORW.

* i a

Confidential Informant
following background 1;

of known reliability, verified the

tion on the subject on September 28, 1954 :

A* Residence : c/o Hauula Post Office, Oahu, T« H# House is located

between Kaliuwaa and Punaluu, Oahu, about 100 feet
beyond the tuf*n to Sacred Falls and is the third house from the Ching
Tong Sing Store on the beach side of the road toward Hauula*

/ 1

B* Employment; Owner, Oahu Papers, 867 Ahua Street, Honolulu, anp^.J
^ Columnist for the Honolulu Record Publishing Company,

LiiMted r ,-%ll'lgherida^ii Street, Honolulu, T* H* The

!i - ^ ' ^ ‘

declassified by %
DM

er company has

APPROVED AND
FORWARDED;

Special. Agent
/ IN CHARGE

COPIES OF THIS REPORT

5 Bureau (100-328955) (RM)
3 Honolulu { 100-5082)

COPY IN FILE

{ DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

./AeCORDED-I

<7

OCt 7 i9b:

/ex. - 109

PROPlfej^F (bUxhIs &fjfo£^^EP.0RT AND ITS CONTENTS ARE L0ARED TO YOU BY THE FBI AMD ARE HOT T ^BeV^TRIBU fEO/

ENCY iy mliCH lOnNIlD. * / u. s. winmiEin NIKTIKC OFFICE 10 — 69256-3

HU 100-5082

been described by the Territorial Subversive Activities Commission
of Hawaii in March, 1953* as- the publishers of the weekly "Honolulu
Record 11 * The origin and purpose of the "Honolulu Record", its
ownership, its editorial policy and the character of its personnel
led the Commission to the inescapable conclusion that it is the
journalistic mouthpiece of the Communist Party in the Territory of
Hawaii*

II* CONNECTIONS WITH THE COMMUNIST PARTY

A* HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS CONGRESS (HCRC

The HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS CONGRESS is an affiliate of the CIVIL
RIGHTS CONGRESS, which along with its affiliates has been designated
by the United States Attorney General pursuant to Presidential
Executive Order 10450® k2

i" " | k> 7 D

Confidential Informant I I of known reliability, advised on

September 1, 1954* the subject continues to be the elected President
of the HCRC having been elected to that position on May 31 , 1953*
Informant noted the organization has been kept in an embryo state
during the past year pending the outcome of the appeal to the
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals of the conviction of seven subjects
In Hawaii who were convicted under the Smith Act of 1940* The
conviction, the informant noted, has disrupted Communist Party
activities in Hawaii and the Party is currently dormant* Informant
advised since March 1, 1954* only irregular Executive Board meetings
of the HCRC have been held on March 9, 1954* April 13, 1954* May 11,
1954* and August 9, 1954* and the subject presided over these meetings

At the April 13, 1954* meeting of the ExecvuLLm. Board of the HCRC,
the subject stated, according to Informant I I due to the current
atmosphere directed against unpopular organizations the HCRC will
function primarily as an educational agency on unpopular civil
rights problems and not as an overt action group* Subject continued
stating the HCRC will plug anti-McCarthyism and the rights of
foreign born*

B. HONOLULU RECORD PUBLISHING COMPANY, LIMITED (HR)

It is noted the Honolulu Record has been previously described in
this report*

A review of the weekly issues of the HR from March 9, 1954* through
September 30* 1954* reflects the subject continues to write a vir

HN 100-5082

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column entitled "Frank-ly Speaking. " Confidential Informant f
of known reliability, advised on September 28, 1954> that he has
made a study of subject* s columns for several months and the study
reveals subject* s columns closely follow the Communist Party line
as promulgated by the- known Party organs such as DAILY WORKER, -
POLITICAL AFFAIRS and THE WORKER.

The following excerpts have been taken from the subject’s columns
in the HR on the dates indicated to give an indication of the
character of the subject’s writings:

April 8, 1954* issue:

"It is evident now that the current Washington definition of
aggression is this; The act of struggling or helping to struggle
against domination by a government that has official American
backing.

"This is a most convenient definition. Applied in Korea it was the
basis for listing North Korea and China as aggressors

April 29» 1954. issue;

"Using the usual cry of ’saving America from the Communists,’ these
thoroughly fascist forces are prepared to kill democracy in order
to get complete control of America. Their t^eapon is McCarthyism
with which they hope to destroy all opposition."

3j.295kM. issue;

"As the Geneva Conference began. Foreign Minister Chou En-lai of
China voiced a program of Asia for Asians. He asked for the with-
drawal of' all foreign troops and bases and the settlement of Asian
problems by consultation among the Asian countries and by exchange
of mutual obligations.

"This ought to be perfectly acceptable to a nation which considers
the Monroe Doctrine one of its most sacred policies. Certainly it
would bring an end to the clash of color and cultures now taking
place through much of Asia. But it would also end colonialism and
the rich profits flowing to the Big Money Boys in Paris and London
and Wall Street. Therefore freedom for Asia is unacceptable to the
’free world.’"

May 20, 1954 * issues J ,

"American racism is not a good selling point in competition witl/
Russian ideologies." /

3